Tourism Minister Welcomes Low Cost Flights to Ayers Rock

Published on : Thursday, February 14, 2013

Tourism and Major Events Minister, Matt Conlan, has today welcomed the introduction of low cost flights by Jetstar from Sydney to Ayers Rock (Yulara). From June 4th 2013, Jetstar will introduce direct Sydney to Yulara flights four times a week, replacing Qantas’ existing daily services with a higher capacity aircraft, the Airbus A320, which will provide a total of 0800 seats every week. Daily services between Sydney and Yulara will continue to be offered by Virgin Australia while Qantas will continue to operate direct daily flights to Ayers Rock from Alice Springs and Cairns. “These new arrangements with Jetstar will open up Ayers Rock to a wider leisure market, while flights going via Alice Springs could lead to more customers deciding to have a stopover there too,” Mr Conlan said. “Combined with the introduction of Tiger Airways flights to Alice Springs, these flights should provide a real stimulus for Central Australia, where visitors have declined by 4 per cent in the last 12 months. “We will be working with the airlines to ensure that international connections to the Territory are not affected and promoting the adjusted services through our international representatives.” Jetstar has put a special low cost fare of $119 one way from Sydney to Yulara on the market today to celebrate its new service to the Red Centre. While disappointed with the withdrawal of direct flights from Darwin to Canberra by Qantas, Mr Conlan said he hoped the move would be only temporary. “Airlines review their routes all the time and at the end of the day, as a business, sometimes tough decisions have to be made. “Qantas says lack of demand is behind this change and travellers can still fly from Darwin to Canberra via Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.” Source:- Tourism NT